Foldable promotional advertising paper hat

ABSTRACT

This invention is a paper hat made from a legal size (8.5″×14″) sheet of card stock paper.  
     The cap has a very simple method of construction requiring the wearer to perform only two steps with the three panels. At a quick glance, the hat only appears to have two cuts, making it a very simple design. However, there are 33 cuts in the sheet of paper that are made by the manufacturer to form its cap shape, and allow for its straightforward and simple construction. Two cuts are made on the corners of the top short edge to form a rounded brim-like appearance. Two cuts are then made starting from the bottom short edge two inches in from each of the long edges and running parallel to the long edges 10¼ inches toward the top of the hat slanting inward at a 45-degree angle for 1⅜ inches at the end. These cuts form two side panels that become the sides of the hat and a center panel that forms the top of the hat. 2⅝ inches of the bottom of the two side panels are then cut off. Two ¼ inch notches are then cut in each of the bottom ends of the two side panels ⅔ inches from the bottom to form hitches for the clasping mechanism. From the bottom edge of each of the notches an arced cut is made towards the bottom of the panel arcing inward ⅛ inch 13-1{fraction (5/16)} inch cuts are then made in the center panel perpendicular to the bottom of the panel and located at the bottom of the panel beginning {fraction (5/16)} inch from the bottom edge, each spaced {fraction (5/16)} inches apart, forming slots for the hitches to be hitched to. 10-1{fraction (5/16)} inch cuts are then made on the bottom of the left side panel beginning {fraction (11/16)} from the bottom of the said pane. The cuts are {fraction (5/16)} inches apart, and start {fraction (5/16)} inch from the left side of the panel. The top edge of the center panel will have a crease that runs parallel to the short edges between the two ends of the 45-degree angle cuts. The center panel of the hat is then arced upwards and each of the two side panels are then bent around the back of the center panel where the 2 notched ends are placed into any of the slots. This creates the simple and completely adjustable for any head size cap, from a three-panel design.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application relates to and claims priority from ProvisionalApplication No. 60/435,681, filed Dec. 23, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to caps and, in particular to aflat cap blank made out of paper-like material, which the wearer of thecap can easily form into a wearable cap, with the main purpose of thecap being its simple three panel design, complete adjustability for anysized head, and printability for advertisement and

BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION

[0003] This disposable hat evolved out of the need for an inexpensiveand easy to construct cap that can fit every sized head, helps block sunfrom the eyes, and also employs a large amount of surface area forprinting with advertisements. This design differs from existingdisposable paper hats by comprising all three of the followingattributes: it is very inexpensive to manufacture, it is very simple toconstruct due to its simple three panel design, it can fit any sizedwearers head, and it also has a large surface area for advertising.These three things allow this design to be ideal for its primary purposeof being an inexpensive, durable, and useful advertising tool fordistribution at outdoor events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is a folding cap constructed of stifflyflexible paper-like material. The material comprises a top panel formingthe main portion of the cap, or crown, where the wearer's head goes, twoside panels which fit snuggly to the wearer's head with hook and latcheson the ends which create a fully adjustable closure mechanism in therear of the cap to fit every size head, and a brim to block the sun fromthe wearers eyes. The invention is directed to be an inexpensive,simple, disposable cap, with its main purpose acting as a large, easilydistributable and viewable, and unobstructed advertising space. The capalso provides great protection from the sun, while not compromising itsmain purpose of providing very sufficient advertising space to beprinted on. The cap also has the ability to have coupons printed on thein-or outside of the side panels, so that the wearer can remove thosecoupons when disposing of the cap and redeem them with the saidadvertiser of the cap.

[0005] The cap fits any wearer's head simply and very well due to thefully adjustable nature of the cap. The cap will very much resemble acommon baseball cap that is on the market today, in a disposable mannerthat is completely constructed by the wearer from a flat, inexpensive,piece of die-cut card stock paper. However, the intention or dispensingthe cap will be to advertise on a device that is easily constructed bythe wearer, rather than to be dispensed for its actual usefulness.

[0006] The cap provides an inexpensive method for companies to widelyadvertise, makes potential clients happy to have their product, and fitssnugly, stylishly, and comfortably for all wearers, no matter theirsize. This concept directly relating to the idea that the caps mainpurpose is for advertisement, and therefore, will predominantly bepassed out for free by advertising companies. It's stylish and usefulball cap design will make potential clients want to wear the cap, givingthe advertiser a good deal of attention.

[0007] Another main purpose of the cap being constructed of a singlesheet of paper is not only the inexpensive nature of the productionsince it is normally a give away, but it's inexpensive and ease ofshipment from the print shop to the client or event where the cap willbe used. Hundreds of caps can be packaged and shipped in the samecontainers, allowing for costs to be kept to a minimum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1:

[0009] Is an overhead perspective view of the present invention shown ina fully folded and secured state.

[0010]FIG. 2:

[0011] Is a side perspective view of the material of the foldable papercap of the present invention shown in a folded state, with both Panel Band C secured to Panel k You can also view the fold of the hat.

[0012]FIG. 3:

[0013] Is a front perspective view of the foldable paper cap of thepresent invention shown fully folded and secured in the rear.

[0014]FIG. 4:

[0015] Is a side perspective view of the foldable paper cap of thepresent invention filly folded and secured in the rear.

[0016]FIG. 5:

[0017] Is a Rear perspective view of the present invention fully foldedand showing how the securing devices work.

[0018]FIG. 6:

[0019] Is a view of the clasp mechanisms and how they work, of thepresent invention.

[0020]FIG. 7:

[0021] Is a top plan view of a single piece of the paper material of thefoldable cap of the present invention shown in an unfolded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The invention disclosed in this application relates to disposableadvertisements that take the form of a useful ball cap. Moreimportantly, these advertising caps are fully adjustable and can andwill fit any head size. The existing inventions that are on the marketare very complex and have many panels in their creation, which not onlymake the caps difficult to construct and not able to achieve exact fitof all head sizes, but impossible to advertise on. The present inventionhas a great advantage over the existing inventions in that it only iscomposed of three panels, two thin side panels and a large top panel.The simplicity of the construction makes the present invention mucheasier for the wearer to construct and use no matter what their size is.Because of the limited panels and the large flat center panel, thepresent invention allows for a great deal of advertisement on the cap.Another great advantage the present invention has over existinginventions is it's simple and straightforward clasping mechanism. Thedesign of the invention and clasping mechanism allow for the cap toeasily fit a large variety of head sizes, from infant to large adult.This feature is one that is not found on any existing invention, andcreates a product that is very unique since heads of all sizes canadjust the caps to exactly fit to their head.

[0023] Presently there are limited ways for advertisers to get theirbrand to the people in a very inexpensive and disposable method. Thereare also large shipping costs, production costs, warehouse costs,distribution costs, and other costs relating to advertising productscurrently on the market. The invention at hand has low shipping andproduction costs, it takes up very limited storage space, and thedistribution can be as simple as adding the simple task to be preformedby people already working.

[0024] The general idea of the cap is for the wearer to receive the capat an event as a flat sheet of material that has already been cut to thespecs that will later follow in the description. The wearer will then berequired to perform the simple construction of the cap, giving the saidadvertiser approximately 30 second of direct advertising time. Toconstruct the cap, all the wearer is required to do is insert the twoends of the side panels into the bottom of the center panel, dependingon the wearers desired size to fit their head. This non-complexthree-piece design makes it very understandable for the average person,and also differs the cap from existing inventions. The structuraldifference of the cap allows it to fit head sizes from infant up toadult. Once simply constructed, when the wearer places the constructedcap on their head, there is an endless amount of secondary advertisingspace for the company who has chose to place their advertisement on thecap.

[0025] Referring to the presented FIGS. 1-7 of the invention at hand,generally referred to as the “invention” in the following descriptions,is shown in both fully folded states (FIGS. 1-6,) and a fully unfolded,flat state from a top view (FIG. 7.) The invention is constructed from asingle sheet of a semi-rigid, foldable and printable material such as astiffly flexible paper-like material such as for example eighty-poundtest Xerox paper. In many cases the invention can be constructed out ofany printable material such as a plastic sheet or any other materialsuited for the intended advertising purpose and functional purpose ofthe invention at hand. The invention at hand can also be made waterrepellent by many different methods. The main purposes of the inventionat hand being its ability to be simply constructed, fit every head size,and act as a large advertising space. The cap can be printed on both topand bottom of all panels, with panels B and C being able to be torn offafter the invention's use and redeemed as coupons that have been printedon the inside of the invention. Existing inventions are very complexwith many panels, not allowing for ease of construction, exact fit, norclear advertisement.

[0026] The dimensions of the cap are as follows: in the unfolded statethe hat has a flat length of 14½″ and width of 8½″. The constructed hatis approximately 11½inches by 8 inches at its widest points.

[0027]FIG. 1: This is an overhead view of the invention at hand thatdisplays what the invention looks like when the invention has beenconstructed; you will notice its simplicity with only three panels. Itshows the shape of the invention and the way the center (Panel A) of theinvention and the side panels (Panel B and C) split once the inventionhas been constructed. It also shows how the side bands (Panels B and C)flare out and away from Panel A when the invention when it has beenconstructed. You can see how both slices 1 and 2 are located on thefront of Panel A and where Fold 1 is situated at the very front of PanelA. The figure also shows clearly the vast amount of advertising space onthe surface of the cap.

[0028]FIG. 2: This is a perspective view of the constructed invention athand that shows what the invention looks like from a side view. Fold 1is located on the front of Panel A which allows for the invention tomake a more rounded shape to fit on a head. The figure also shows howthe Panels B and C wrap around the back of the invention and are stuckinto the invention as described in FIGS. 5 and 6. The figure displayshow Slices 1 and 2 on the front of Panel A separate Panels B and C fromPanel A when the hat is constructed. The extra closure adjustment slicesfor small heads are also viewable on the back of Panel C in this view.The functionality of Fold 1 is also very prominent in this figure. Thefigure also shows the vast amount of advertising space available on boththe top and sides of the Invention.

[0029]FIG. 3: This is a view from the front of the invention at hand.You will notice Slices 1 and 2 on the front of Panel A that separatePanel A from Panels B, and C allowing for a better fit to the usershead. You will also notice how the Panels B and C create a roundedeffect when the hat is constructed and panels B and C are latched intotheir fitting locations in the clasps show in FIGS. 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4,or 6.5, allowing for a better fit to the head. The figure shows how whenthe invention is constructed, it also creates a rounded effect on thebottom of Panel D. The figure shows very well how Fold 1 in the front ofthe Panel A is very prominent, allowing for Panel A to create a wellrounded head space and a good fit to the users head.

[0030]FIG. 4: This figure shows what a constructed invention at handlooks like from a side view. You can see how Panels B or C create a sideband that fits in a round fashion to the side of the wearer's head. Inthis view they are attached to the clasps as described in FIG. 6. Thefigure also shows how Panel A creates a round effect when the hat hasPanels B and C attached to it as shown in FIG. 6. The effectiveness ofSlices 1 and 2 and Fold 1 are easily viewable as well.

[0031]FIG. 5: This is a view from the back of the constructed inventionat hand. In this view you can see how Panel A is bent at Fold 1 creatinga rounded space for the head, while Panels B and C are latched into oneof the many personalized fit slits as shown in FIG. 6. You can view themany slits located on the back of Panel A in the present said invention.There are numerous slits for larger hats, as well as the many slits thatare on Panel C for construction of a smaller cap. You can also view howthe closure system looks (Latch 1 and 2), and how it will fit into theone of the many slits to easily create a personalized fit.

[0032]FIG. 6: In this view you can see how the closure system works ofthe invention at hand. There will be two latches on Panels B and C thatwill slide into one of the many slits on the back of Panel A as shown in6.1 and 6.3. The hook on Panel B or C is inserted into one of the 1-1/4″slits in the back of Panel A as shown in FIGS. 6.2 and 6.4 depending onthe wearers preferred size. If the wearer has a smaller head, then thehook on Panel C is inserted across to the right side of the back ofPanel A as seen in 6.5. The hook on Panel B is then inserted into one ofthe slits on the end of Panel C (FIGS. 6.5) depending on the wearerspreferred size.

[0033]FIG. 7: This figure shows what the invention at hand looks likewhen it is not constructed, viewed from the top. It shows how Main Cut 1and Main Cut 2 create Panels A, B, C, and D. It also shows where Slices1 and 2 are located. You will also see Fold 1 on the front of Panel AThe closure system is also very easily viewable in this figure. You canalso get a good idea of how many of the inventions can be packedtogether in small fashion and shipped inexpensively.

1. A cap blank, comprising: a body including a first side, a second sideand a brim, each of said first and second sides having a free end; and acrown having a free end; wherein said free ends of said first and secondsides are joinable adjacent to said free end of said crown.
 2. A methodfor providing a cap, comprising: providing a cap blank including a crownand a body having first and second sides and a brim, said crown being ina substantially planar state; joining said first side to said crown; andjoining said second side to said crown; wherein said crown is in afolded state after said first and second sides are joined to said crown.3. A method for providing a cap, comprising: providing a cap blankincluding a crown and a body having first and second sides and a brim,said crown being in a substantially planar state; joining said firstside to said crown; and joining said second side to said crown; whereinsaid crown is fully adjustable and can be made to simply fit virtuallyany size head.
 4. A method for providing a cap with substantial planes,comprising: providing a cap with three large planes that are easilyviewable and have the ability to be easily printed on for advertisementpurposes; and the ability for the side planes to have redeemable couponsprinted on them.